4 Commanders Coordinator Candidates After Hiring Cowboys Coach Quinn

With Dan Quinn set to leave the Dallas Cowboys for the Washington Commanders we begin our look at potential coordinator candidates to join the new regime.

The Washington Commanders have gotten a lot of attention the past few weeks as they sought out a new leading coach to run the team for managing partner Josh Harris and general manager Adam Peters.

After presumably missing out on a few top targets the outside world had pegged for them, it was announced Thursday morning the Commanders were bringing in Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to be that man. 

Just like that, what was perceived as a fresh - and yes, younger - start to Washington football was sent up in a flash with the news that a 53-year-old coach who has already had his run at the top would be getting his next chance here.

That news is what it is at this point, and while we spend the coming days dissecting it there is new business to be discussed as Quinn will now turn to forming his coaching staff. 

We have two candidates for each open position we believe he should consider.

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn during training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn / Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Dallas Cowboys secondary/defensive pass game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

The full expectation here is for the Cowboys to go hard at trying to retain Whitt and promote him to defensive coordinator in the process. 

But we also anticipate the 17-year coach to be a prime candidate for Quinn to bring across the NFC East Division along with him.

After all, it was Quinn's arrival that preceded Whitt's to Dallas.

And he worked with Quinn during his time as coach of the Atlanta Falcons as well.

Of course, Whitt also spent time with Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers, so it's not a slam dunk.

Cowboys defensive backs coach Al Harris

With a decade-plus of coaching under his belt Harris has been one of the more often-connecting coaches with Quinn as a potential defensive coordinator should he earn a head coaching job.

Before that, he was a Pro Bowl and All-Pro caliber defensive back himself, so he knows the ropes of playing the game and teaching it.

After having much success with Trevon Diggs, Jayron Kearse, and Daron Bland specifically, his name is one to watch in this search.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer

We might have to file this one in the dream folder because Jerry Jones could block it, but we can't make a list of potential coordinators for Quinn without involving Schottenheimer.

He joined Dallas in 2023 after time spent with the Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, and New York Jets dating back to 2006. 

Under Schottenheimer and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, quarterback Dak Prescott experienced a regular season revival throwing 36 touchdowns to just nine interceptions after throwing a career-high 15 in 2022.

Prescott also earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl since 2018, all while running back Tony Pollard led the team in touches with 307 of them. 

For reference, Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. also led his team in total touches, but he came in at just 214.

The motivation for Schottenheimer to make the move is play-calling which McCarthy handles in Dallas.

Even if Jones says no, Washington has to ask, right?

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San Francisco 49ers offensive passing game specialist Klint Kubiak

This one isn't a far stretch to make as general manager Adam Peters just came from the 49ers organization and surely has knowledge of Kubiak's potential.

Furthermore, Quinn's best days as a head coach came with San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan calling his offense in Atlanta, so getting a branch off the tree he helped take root seems like a smart move to make.